The last few days have seen a flurry of free agent activity around the league as teams prepare to fill out their training camp rosters. While the New York Knicks have been the most prominent figure during this period , the Los Angeles Lakers appear to have joined the fray.
The Lakers' offseason has been buzzing with activity. From the acquisition of Walker Kessler in a trade with the Jazz to the numerous signings in free agency, Los Angeles has completely changed its roster . Now, with training camp less than two weeks away, the Purple and Gold add another talented piece to the mix by signing former Gonzaga swingman Anton Watson to the mix.
The Lakers' official press release on Watson was as follows:
"The Los Angeles Lakers have signed forward Anton Watson. Watson (6'8″, 225) appeared in 50 games (34 starts) for the South Bay Lakers during the 2025-26 season, averaging 11.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.4 steals in 27.3 minutes."
"Originally selected 54th overall by Boston in the 2024 NBA Draft, Watson played five seasons at Gonzaga, earning All-WCC First Team honors as a senior."
With an impressive résumé in college and the G League, Anton Watson seems to be an interesting prospect. On that note, we will examine his strengths and weaknesses before assessing whether he can secure a spot on the Purple and Gold's roster for the 2026-27 season.
Anton Watson is listed as a small forward. At 6'8″, 225 lbs, Watson has remarkable physical tools, making him an ideal fit as a prototypical wing. While this is promising, Watson's skill set may be considered even more valuable.
The 25-year-old is largely perceived as a versatile defender with a high basketball IQ. Although last season's G League stats could highlight this aspect of his game, his averages of 1.5 steals, 0.7 blocks, and 2.3 personal fouls per game during his senior year at Gonzaga only showcase his consistency as a defender.
Much of the Lakers' offseason outlook has been geared toward shoring up the team's wing depth . While the front office has largely succeeded in this endeavor, one could argue that adding more reliable defenders on the perimeter could only benefit the team next season.
Apart from his defensive upside, Watson can also be considered an efficient scorer. With shooting splits of 57.8% from the field and 41.2% from three-point range during his senior year in college, the forward has the tools to become a reliable 3-and-D player. However, his averages of 51.9% shooting from the field and 33.9% from beyond the arc in the G League last season may suggest he is more impactful when moving without the ball.
On paper, Anton Watson's player profile indicates that he is an intelligent two-way player with promising cutting instincts and a high motor. Given the Lakers' depth of playmakers, a wing like Watson seems to be the ideal outlet. But is this enough for him to earn a spot on the team?
Although the 25-year-old possesses tremendous upside, there are some aspects of his game that may stand out as concerns for the Purple and Gold.
For starters, Watson isn't necessarily known for his athleticism. While his effort and hustle are remarkable, the forward lacks the speed and leaping ability to be a consistent threat in the NBA.
Though he can make up for these shortcomings with his intelligence, the forward isn't a consistent perimeter threat or shot-creator. With a limited offensive package, Watson is slightly reliant on his teammates to create opportunities for him.
These issues are only exacerbated by his poor free-throw shooting. During his senior year, Anton Watson shot only 65.3% from the free-throw line. Although he showed improvement in the G League last season, posting 70.6% shooting from the charity stripe, these figures don't inspire confidence in his ability to become a consistent shooting threat.
As mentioned earlier, Anton Watson fits the profile for the type of player the Lakers have been looking for. However, there are several factors that suggest he will not be part of the final roster when the season begins.
Among these, the most prominent one is the Lakers' current squad depth. Given the team's pre-existing wing depth , which includes some noteworthy players such as Jake LaRavia , Sandro Mamukelashvili , Ziaire Williams , and Matisse Thybulle , the Purple and Gold feature some battle-tested veterans who can step in and contribute immediately. Although Watson's intelligence and defensive versatility would be valuable assets, he may not stand out in comparison to these players.
Another key factor is the Lakers' pre-existing roster size. As it stands, the Purple and Gold have 16 players on standard contracts already, implying that they must cut at least one player before the new campaign begins .
With a surplus of players, the opportunities to secure a place in the squad are slim. However, this doesn't mean the door is completely shut for Anton Watson. While the team has already filled out its three two-way spots, Watson can still strengthen his case during training camp.
In many ways, this is still a promising opportunity for the 25-year-old. Even though it doesn't ensure his place in the NBA, this could be a crucial stepping stone.
